I was speaking with a friend this morning about telling your best friend something that’s true, but may hurt their feelings. Or worse yet, may drive your best friend away, especially if they’re in a difficult place in their life. Like my friend’s best friend, who’s responding to adversity with an eating disorder. The thing is, with friends it’s oftentimes difficult to be brutally honest, especially if the truth is difficult to swallow. And since the truth can be as painful to give as it is to receive, it’s always best to proceed with sensitivity and compassion. For those of you who have seen my film, Boulevard Zen, you know that my character, Bobby D’Angelo, inspires others to overcome adversity while communicating the truth through example. He uses the healing powers of yoga to help students deal with their depression, infertility, hypertension and anorexia. So be sensitive with your truth telling, especially if it involves something serious and beyond your expertise. And always encourage your friends to make that mind-body connection with some form of fitness, especially yoga. So enjoy restoring your body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #77 – Restorative Legs, Core & Abs II – R
Do it and understand
Chinese thinker and social philosopher, Confucius, once said, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Because when you actually do something of value, whatever it is, you understand first-hand the reasons for doing it as well as the benefits derived from it. Thus, do it and understand. Like my fat burning workouts. Or anything else fitness related you can afford doing on a daily basis. Because once you understand what it is to embrace a daily fitness program by actually doing it, you’ll be hooked. Or at least you’ll empower yourself with the knowledge and experience you’ll never forget. Enjoy today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #76 – Warrior Legs. – R
Saturday fun with Bruce Springsteen
It was early November, 1978, when I first experienced the amazing sounds and vibrations of the world’s greatest rocker, Bruce Springsteen. I was 15 years old, and growing up in New Jersey, of course I was a “Boss” fan. So I tagged along with some older kids to watch him at Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium. It was my first Springsteen concert and Bruce was promoting his 4th album, Darkness on the Edge of Town. Interestingly, after I post this blog, I’m heading over to Santa Monica to watch The Promise on the big screen. This documentary shows the anguish and the creative joy that went into the making of Darkness. I’m looking forward to the 1970s footage of young Springsteen creating the album with the E Street Band and the interviews of Bruce today. So whatever your fancy is today, enjoy, and don’t forget to get your daily workout in!
Here’s today 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #66 – Triceps, Core & Abs – R
25 pounds more than a generation ago
This morning I read that for the first time since the 1960s, the United States Coast Guard has increased its estimate of average passenger weight by 25 pounds (used by ferries and charter boats to help determine how many people they can carry). With clothing and all, the typical passenger now weighs in at 185 pounds – that’s 25 pounds more than a generation ago. And this extra 25 pounds may likely be added to the Federal Transit Administration’s standard for buses, subways, light rails, etc., which is currently set at 150 pounds. I guess there’s no need to explain our nation’s weight increase, right? Because everything from poor eating habits, more expensive healthy foods, too much time watching TV and surfing the Internet, and too little physical exercise will certainly do the trick. So why not help reverse our nation’s heavier trend with a daily fitness program. Even if you won’t be traveling anytime soon! So respect yourself and have fun strengthening your chest & arm with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #63. – R
PS – Today marks my 100th blog since debuting 20 weeks ago – thanks for reading!
Try something different
I was inspired by my sister this morning when she said, “sometimes it’s good to just try something different”. She was speaking about a situation that turned positive for her once she tried something different. I agreed. Because oftentimes a fresh approach will give you that winning formula. Whether it be that dream job you desire, or that daily fitness program you’ve been thinking about. So try something different with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #60 – Beautify Those Buns II. Happy Easter! Enjoy – R
Little things can make a big difference
Yesterday I taught a one hour fat burning class to the children and moms living at the domestic violence shelter in San Diego. My charity, The Boulevard Zen Foundation, has been teaching yoga there since last July. I especially wanted to teach the families exercises from my fat burning workouts. The moms loved it and the kids were awesome. What was most significant, though, was my interaction with one particular boy who I first met in July. I’ll call him Alex. When I first offered to shake his hand, Alex reached out with a limp hand as he cowered away. Thus, my first lesson was to teach Alex how to shake hands. “Stand tall, use a really strong grip and look me in the eyes”, I said. Which he did without hesitation. But the real test was whether or not Alex would continue with his new handshake. That’s why interacting with him yesterday was so significant. He shook my hand just like I had taught him. And I congratulated him for it. Because little things can make a big difference. So enjoy looking for the little things that can make a big difference with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #59 – Beautify Your Butt II. – R
Dodgers anyone?
I’m still a NY Yankees fan, but my favorite team is the LA Dodgers – the city in which I live. So when the Dodgers were taken over by Major League Baseball, it opened the door for new owners to usher in a new era of Dodger baseball, with Don Mattingly at the helm and stars Andre Ethier & Matt Kemp leading the charge. Although I’m not listed among the Top 10 potential suitors, at least not today, I believe any one of these Hollywood powerhouses will do just fine (as listed by The Hollywood Reporter): Mark Attanasio, Thomas Barrack, Eli Broad, Mark Cuban, Dennis Gilbert, Alec Gores, Peter Guber, Magic Johnson, Casey Wasserman, and Tom Werner. I’ve never met any of these men, but their successes speak for themselves. So let’s get this party started and bring some new energy to our team! Just like you can energize your mind & body with today’s 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #58 – Killer Abs II. Enjoy – R
Empty your mind
At the beginning of yoga class this morning, our teacher uttered this phrase during our first forward bend (that’s Uttanasana in Sanskrit). The start of any practice is an excellent time to let everything go and empty your mind of any excess baggage you might be carrying with you. That is to say, baggage in the form of mental chatter that prevents you from staying focused and just being present in the moment. Because whether you’re practicing yoga or doing my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts, there’s no place for excess baggage. So empty your mind today – and everyday – at the start of your fitness program. And have fun sculpting your abs with today’s 57th consecutive workout! – R
Re-think and dispel
The other day in the gym I read this as it flashed across the TV screen and quietly disagreed: Never judge those who tried and failed; judge those who failed to try. I get the first part, because how can you judge someone for trying, right? But what’s this about judging those for failing to try? Because if you fail to try, that’s your personal decision. Not one that should be judged. On the other hand, if you fail to try, maybe there’s a specific reason for it – a reason that can be re-thought and dispelled. Whatever it is. Especially if it involves fitness. Because if your reason for not exercising on a daily basis is not very compelling, i.e., not enough time or money, consider getting started today with my 5 Minute Fat Burning Workout #56 – Blast Your Abs II. Because who doesn’t want to improve their posture and breathing in only 5 minutes a day! Enjoy – R
Kanye West leads the way
I read an article in the LA Times this morning about rap star Kanye West’s closing Sunday night set at Coachella (the 3-day annual Music & Arts Festival in Indio, CA). Kanye ended his “epic and unforgettable” set standing alone. Much like the way he started. Which got me thinking about how working out everyday is just like Kanye standing there alone. Yes, you can workout with your friends or take a group class, but you’re still doing it alone. Which, at times, feels like a very lonely journey. That’s why incorporating bite-size workouts is the key to success. Workouts that are simple and effective. Just like Kanye flying solo without all the bells and whistles of a spectacle behind him, you can fly solo with my anytime-anywhere 5 Minute Fat Burning Workouts. So enjoy tightening your abdominals & core with today’s Workout #55! – R